1A Camelot compatible keys

1A is A♭ minor. The codes Sonata calls In key from here are 1A, 12A, 2A and 1B.

  • 1A A♭ minorSame key. Key clash: no.

    1A into 1A is the same key. Sonata calls that In key.

  • 12A C♯ minorOne step down. Key clash: no.

    1A into 12A (C♯ minor) is one step down the wheel. Sonata calls that In key.

  • 2A E♭ minorOne step up. Key clash: no.

    1A into 2A (E♭ minor) is one step up, a perfect fifth, seven semitones. Sonata calls that In key. It is the usual small lift.

  • 1B B majorRelative major or minor. Key clash: no.

    1A into 1B (B major) is the same number on the other ring. Sonata calls that In key.

  • 3A B♭ minorEnergy boost +2. Key clash: yes.

    1A into 3A (B♭ minor) is two steps up, a whole tone. DJs call this an energy boost. It is not a smooth match, and Sonata flags it as a key clash.

  • 8A A minorSeven numbers. Key clash: yes.

    1A into 8A (A minor) is seven Camelot numbers, one semitone between the tonics. That is a key clash, not a boost. When a note says "+7" and means seven semitones, it is the one-step-up move above.

The energy boost

1A into 3A (B♭ minor) is two steps up the wheel, a whole tone. DJs call that an energy boost. Sonata flags it as a key clash, not as In key. Hear it before you rely on it.

Seven semitones is not this move. That is one step up the wheel, already In key. Seven Camelot numbers is one semitone, and that clashes too. Harmonic mixing energy boosts walks through both. Check the pair in the key checker.

Mixing from here

  • The smooth moves are 12A (C♯ minor), 2A (E♭ minor) and 1B (B major). Sonata calls those In key.
  • 3A is two steps up, the energy boost. Sonata calls that a key clash. Hear it before you rely on it.
  • Leave the pitch alone. Sonata does not transpose, so a clash stays a clash.
  • A smooth key is not a smooth blend on its own. If the tempos are more than about 10 percent apart, or the beat is unclear, the pair does not get a beat-locked blend. It gets an echo out or a plain fade.
  • Play the pair. The label is a flag, not a listen.

Check 1A against another key. Neighbours: 12A, 2A, 1B (B major). Read how to plan a DJ set, or how to structure a DJ set.

Try it with your tracks.

Add files in 1A and the keys around it. Sonata reads the Camelot key, flags a clash, and plays the pair. Hear your whole set before the gig. Your first mix is free, up to 10 tracks.

Hear your set